Apple plans July 16 press conference about iPhone 4

The iPhone for fix. It's unlikely that Apple Inc. will recall iPhone as it would cost them $1.5 billion. What Apple should do is apologize for trying to hide the problem with the iPhone 4 reception and offer people a refund for those who want to return the phone 4 or offer users of the iPhone 4 who were having problems with reception a free $30 bumper case to help with reception. As to what would really happen at the Apple meeting? It's anyone's guess, as we all know Steve Jobs is not known for being humble and apologetic.

Apple Inc., facing complaints over the antenna reception of its new iPhone 4, will hold a press conference on July 16 to discuss the device.

The meeting will be held at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California, said Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesman. He declined to elaborate on what will be discussed.

Since Apple released the iPhone 4 on June 24, users have complained about losing reception when they cover the lower-left corner of the device. Consumer Reports said this week it wouldn't recommend the phone because of the problem, and some analysts have said Apple needs to address the concerns or risk harming sales.

"Apple's image -- and potentially iPhone sales -- could be compromised if Apples does not explicitly -- and constructively -- address the issue of what it believes is wrong with the phone," Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, wrote in a note to investors earlier this week.

Apple can either issue free cases to owners of the iPhone 4 to cover the antenna trouble spot or conduct a product recall, he said. While the recall isn't likely, such a move could cost Apple $1.5 billion, Sacconaghi said.

The iPhone, first introduced in 2007, is Apple's top- selling product, accounting for about 40 percent of revenue. The company sold 1.7 million in the first three days after the release of the fourth-generation model. Apple reports earnings on July 20.

The latest model has a new design that encases the antenna in a metal band surrounding the phone, instead of making it a separate piece. In response to the complaints, Apple has advised users to either not touch the phone in the lower-left corner or use a case.

Source: Bloomberg News